Reactions of ortho-substituted α,α-dibromoacetophenones with nucleophiles: first examples of combined carbophilic and bromophilic attack on C–Br bonds

An efficient method for the formation of α-carbonyl-monosubstituted acetophenones from ortho-methoxy- and ortho-hydroxy-α,α-dibromoacetophenones and a range of selected nucleophiles, occurring via a carbophilic substitution/bromophilic substitution/protonation cascade process, is described. In turn, the preparation of α,α-dibromoacetophenones, isolated in high yields, relies on the neighboring group participation of the ortho-substituents in the starting ortho-substituted acetophenones.